Broadcasting
Program Description
Students earning an Associate in Applied Science (AAS) degree in Broadcasting will have the opportunity to receive hands-on learning experiences in audio production, announcing, and performance at the KAWC facility. AWC students are also eligible to work as interns in the KAWC studios, working alongside Yuma Public Radio professionals.
AWC is the only community college in Arizona to operate both AM and FM radio stations licensed by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). The stations, known collectively as Yuma Public Radio, have a potential audience of 135,000 in Yuma County and eastern Imperial County, California. Both stations are also streamed over the Internet at KAWC.org. KAWC-AM broadcasts a News/Talk format, while KAWC-FM broadcasts NPR news along with alternative, jazz, and classical music. KAWC-FM also broadcasts locally-produced news, alternative music, and jazz programs.
Graduates of these programs will successfully complete the following learning outcomes:
- Communicate effectively in: written work, oral presentation, and interpersonal communication during collaborative production work
- Demonstrate a theoretical, historical, conceptual, legal, and critical understanding of the radio industry
- Demonstrate the audio production process to include the pre-production, production, and post-production stages
- Exhibit proficiency in recording and editing for audio productions
- Produce and program a radio show
Degree(s) / Certificates(s)
| Title | Local Bachelor's |
|---|---|
| Broadcasting - A.A.S. Occupational Degree | - |
Career Outlook
Successful completion of this program may lead to a variety of employment opportunities, most of which require continued higher education at the university level. Below are examples of related occupations and annual mean wages in Arizona according to a May 2020 State Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates Report from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
| Broadcast Technicians * Set up, operate, and maintain the electronic equipment used to acquire, edit, and transmit audio and video for radio or television programs. Control and adjust incoming and outgoing broadcast signals to regulate sound volume, signal strength, and signal clarity. Operate satellite, microwave, or other transmitter equipment to broadcast radio or television programs. |
* |
| Audio and Video Technicians Set up, maintain, and dismantle audio and video equipment, such as microphones, sound speakers, connecting wires and cables, sound and mixing boards, video cameras, video monitors and servers, and related electronic equipment for live or recorded events, such as concerts, meetings, conventions, presentations, podcasts, news conferences, and sporting events. |
$44,330 |
| Sound Engineering Technicians Assemble and operate equipment to record, synchronize, mix, edit, or reproduce sound, including music, voices, or sound effects, for theater, video, film, television, podcasts, sporting events, and other productions. |
$51,550 |
| Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film Operate television, video, or film camera to record images or scenes for television, video, or film productions. |
$51,690 |
| News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists Narrate or write news stories, reviews, or commentary for print, broadcast, or other communications media such as newspapers, magazines, radio, or television. May collect and analyze information through interview, investigation, or observation. |
$61,240 |
| Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys Speak or read from scripted materials, such as news reports or commercial messages, on radio, television, or other communications media. May play and queue music, announce artist or title of performance, identify station, or interview guests. |
$61,960 |
| Producers and Directors Produce or direct stage, television, radio, video, or film productions for entertainment, information, or instruction. Responsible for creative decisions, such as interpretation of script, choice of actors or guests, set design, sound, special effects, and choreography. |
$62,810 |
| Editors Plan, coordinate, revise, or edit written material. May review proposals and drafts for possible publication. |
$64,160 |
| Film and Video Editors Edit moving images on film, video, or other media. May work with a producer or director to organize images for final production. May edit or synchronize soundtracks with images. |
$68,940 |
* Wages for some occupations that do not generally work year-round, full time, are reported either as hourly wages or annual salaries depending on how they are typically paid.
Contact Information
Department Contact(s)
Liberal Arts & Education
Hours of Operation
- Normal Hours
- Monday - Thursday: 7:00am - 5:00pm
Faculty/Staff Contact(s)
| Name | Title | Phone | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brad Pease, MFA | Professor of Computer Graphics and Visual Arts | (928) 344-7707 | brad.pease@azwestern.edu |
| Alexis Gorman | Administrative Assistant IV | (928) 344-7598 | Alexis.Gorman@azwestern.edu |